31 Verses - Retreat Follow Up

Now that the retreat is over, I want to remind all the teens who attended to check out the pocketbook that was in your retreat bag - 31 Verses: Here & Now. This book is filled with 31 short daily devotionals that correspond to the theme that we studied at the retreat. These one page devotionals are great ways to spend some quick but quality time in God's word. The book is small enough to fit in your backpack, purse, or pocket. Check it out - I know your spiritual life will be blessed by this small book.

Acappella

Winter Retreat 2009 - Here & Now

We returned today from the annual Winter retreat in Big Bear. As you can tell from the pictures we experienced quite a bit of snow. We had 15 teens attend the retreat this year! So we rented a larger cabin than last year. Our cabin this year backed up to Big Bear Lake and we had an awesome view from both the front and the back of our cabin. The picture above is out the front door. You can see my car covered in snow by the fence and Roberta's car up above by the street.

Brett, Peter and Caleb checking out the ice in the front yard.

Our cabin was called the 'Hunter's Lakefront Lodge' and you can see why - almost all of the interior decor was some form of dead animal.

Robera and Laura getting breakfast ready on Saturday morning. As these wonderful women were cooking snow was falling outside.

The view from the second story looking down onto the lake and the dock. If you look closely, you can see Brett, Peter, and Joey walking out onto the dock.

It didn't take long for the teens to make their way outside to check out the snow - for we 'flatlanders' this was an awesome sight - the snow was deep and still fluffy and light - it didn't take long for a snowball fight to occur.

Jon wins the award for best snowball. I wouldn't want to block this with any part of my body.

Look at the view across the lake - amazing!

Samantha and Lizzy all bundled up.

The dock extending into the lake - Jon working on that snowball...

Brett, Joey, and Caleb begin the proces of constructing the fort.

Who snowed us out? Brett McGee - our man of manual labor. Thanks Brett!

This is the front of our cabin.

At Big Bear Snow Play ready to slide.

Uh oh - the snow is coming down pretty heavy now - let's head back to the cabin.

Trenton, Brandon, and Eric working the pool table.

Group devotional time - working on our Bible study of Joshua

and what it means to live in the Here & Now.

The whole group together in front of the cabin before we head out.

Thanks to everyone who came and everyone who supported our trip. God bless!

This Weekend!

The retreat is finally almost here! And with 16 teens going we had to move up to a bigger cabin - and one that is on Big Bear Lake! I'm looking forward to an awesome weekend studying Joshua and what is means to live in the Here & Now.

We will LEAVE the church building no later than 4:00 p.m. this Friday. Please arrive at the building before this time so that we can pack up our cars. There will be people at the building at 3:30 ready to load cars. We should return to the church building on Sunday between 12:00-1:00.

Teens should pack the following items: a Bible, warm clothes for Saturday and Sunday, casual clothes for lounging around the cabin, pajamas, bathroom supplies, a sleeping bag, pillow, towel. We’re planning on going sledding on Saturday afternoon so bring a warm hat, gloves, sunglasses, scarf or anything else that can aid in keeping you warm! There is a forecast of snow for this weekend - so there is a chance we might be stuck in the cabin on Saturday - you've been warned!

There will be beds and sheets at at the cabin, but not everyone will have a bed so bringing a sleeping bag and pillow is essential. Also, all iPods, cell phones, and any video gameplayers should be left at home - they are detrimental to the weekend and will be kept by me for the duration of the weekend. If you want to get a hold of your teen, use my cell phone.

Great Comic Strip

Double click to see up close...talk about a generation gap!

Roller Skating

Davina, Jennifer, Lizzie, Samantha, Joey and Mercedes

representing the Redlands Church of Christ Youth Group well!

Melissa and her kids were there with another party and Chris and Keith came to hang out!

C of C was in the house! Sophie was a bit of a scene stealer...the teens were so great teaching her how to stay up

on her feet...

Practically all falling was caused by Sophie and Sophie alone...

2009 Winter Retreat

The first post of 2009 concerns our upcoming Winter retreat. You'll be getting all of the paperwork tomorrow at church but I also wanted to post some info here on the blog.

The 2009 Winter Retreat will be held Friday, February 6th through Sunday, February 8th. We already have a cabin reserved up in Big Bear.

INFORMATION: We’ll focus on God’s word with 4 related thematic lessons, participate in team building activities, and have adventures in the snow. We’ll meet at the building on Friday afternoon at 3:30 and we’ll return to the building at 1:00 p.m. Sunday afternoon.

WHAT TO BRING: yourself, your Bible, warm clothes for Saturday and Sunday, casual clothes for lounging around the cabin, pajamas, bathroom supplies, a sleeping bag, pillow, towel. We’ll be going sledding on Saturday afternoon so bring a warm hat, gloves, sunglasses, scarf or anything else that can aid in keeping you warm! Most of all bring a great attitude and an open heart for learning more about God.

COST: $75 per person (this cost helps cover five meals, snacks, drinks, Saturday afternoon sledding, the cabin rental, study materials, and a t-shirt). Scholarships are available! Do not let the cost stop you from attending this event! I believe this is THE most important event of the entire year!

OTHER DETAILS: Our study and theme for this retreat will be HERE AND NOW: Everything about the world a teenager lives in is aimed at preparing them for the future. They are constantly bombarded by messages saying that life is “up ahead,” just out of reach, somewhere in the future. But that is not our call as Christ-followers. God is at work today and is calling you to live a life on mission with Him…right here… right now. This isn’t rehearsal. This is it.

To reserve your spot, completely fill out the registration form & medical release form and return it to Jeff Partain. The full cost of registration is due no later than February 1st.

QUESTIONS? Contact Jeff Partain at (951) 769-1773 or at fourpartains@yahoo.com